2017 Scholarship Recipients

2017 Scholarship Recipients

Actuarial Foundation of Canada National Scholarship

Amanda
North Vancouver, BC
First year, Applied Science, Queen's University

"Guiding has been enriching beyond words and given me life lessons I can forever carry and share with others. I hold a deep sense of pride and love for this international community and want to stay involved for the rest of my life, helping others gain valuable experiences."

Jingyan
Toronto, ON
First year, Health Sciences and Business, University of Western Ontario

"Learning to have patience and show effective leadership are lessons that I will cherish and apply to all aspects of my life. I am no longer the shy little girl who joined Pathfinders in her grade 7 year – I am now outspoken and eager to take on any leadership opportunities presented to me in the future."

"Guiding is a lifestyle, not just an activity girls attend once a week. Since my first year of Sparks, I have been applying knowledge and skills learnt from Girl Guides to my everyday life. The 'Be Prepared' motto has helped me respond quickly and survive many different situations."

"Guiding has taught me the importance of caring for our environment as well as, many skills that will help me ensure my safety in the outdoors. In guiding I have developed a love for hiking, camping, and many recreational activities which I will continue throughout my life."

Safira
Calgary, AB
Second year, Public Affairs and Policy Management, Carleton University

"'I will take action for a better world' has become my personal mantra, and I credit my unit leaders for sparking my understanding and passion to enact positive change in my communities and surroundings. This spark is one of the reasons that I would like to pursue a career in human rights law. My leaders have taught me that the world will not improve on its own, and have given me the confidence to believe that I can better my world."

Samantha
Winnipeg, MB
First year, Social Work, University of Winnipeg

"I have developed my leadership skills throughout my years in Guiding. I have been fortunate to be mentored by some amazing leaders. With my Guiding mentors, I not only developed my leadership skill but also gained confidence."

Barrett Environmental National Scholarship

Danielle
Kitchener, ON
Second year, International Development, University of Waterloo

"The motto I carry with me every day comes from both the Brownie and Guiding Law. The line which has meant the most to me in my daily life is: 'I will take action for a better world.'It was this influence in my life from a young age that helped shape my passion and guided my goal of working in the international development field. I one day hope to work for an organization where I can help create a better world for all people."

"Guiding had built me into the strong-willed, independent person that I am today because of the people I have met and experiences I have gained within Guiding."

Col. Karen Ritchie Memorial National Scholarship

Corrine
Rothesay, NB
First year, Engineering, University of New Brunswick

"At this exciting point in my education and personal life, I am confident that I have chosen the paths that are right for me. Guiding has helped me in these decisions by showing me the world and what I am capable of. I cherish my Guiding memories."

Dare Foods Limited National Scholarships

Camryn
Point de Bute, NB
First year, Science, Mount Allison University

"This award would mean an opportunity to succeed that is not often afforded to women pursuing careers in STEM. The world is changing for the better but there are still roadblocks for women where there aren't for men."

Danielle
Nipawin, SK
First year, Science, University of Saskatchewan

"Guiding has given me not only the confidence and tools to become the best version of myself, but has also given me an outlet to share my experience and help other girls in my community to learn more about themselves in a positive environment."

"From Guiding, I became a leader through resilience, role modeling, and empathy, and the greatest impact this has had on my life was the decision to pursue veterinary medicine. I am going into a field that requires its members to be leaders in the community and advocates for animal health."

"I was given the gift of learning self-sufficiency, outdoor skills, being part of a sisterhood that would last well into my adult life; a keen awareness of health and wellness, a stewardship for our environment and community and the importance of being a woman and supporting other women and girls to excel in all the ways their potential allows."

Humber Glen Trefoil Guild National Scholarship

Monika
Kitchener, ON
First year, Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University

"To me, Guiding is about growth. Guiding has allowed me to build my leadership skills, my confidence, and has given me the opportunity to broaden my understanding of the world and myself. I am a different person than I used to be because of Guiding."

"Guiding has taught me the extremely important lesson of believing in yourself. Believing that my opinions and my thoughts are just as valuable as anyone else's. Being a woman is not something to be silent about, but rather to embrace."

The Masonic Foundation of Ontario National Scholarships

Candace
Windsor, ON
First year, Medical Sciences, University of Western Ontario

"Guiding imparted valuable life lessons that shaped our values and social conscience. These lessons challenged us to become global citizens who had the confidence to fearlessly advocate for those around the world and roll-up our sleeves in service of those closer to home."

Ceceilia
Toronto, ON
First year, Foundation Year Program, University of King's College

"Guiding provides me with a home. As I head to university, I am unsure of what awaits me. But one fact I know to be true is not matter where I go or how long it's been I will always be able to fall back on Guiding. The Guiding sisterhood is a lifelong promise that women should support other women and knowing that gives me the confidence to go forth fearlessly."

Celeste
Ottawa, ON
First year, Arts, McGill University

"Guiding has taught me to stand up for what I care about and to be more adventurous and to always take opportunities that I am presented with. What I have learned has impacted my life and who I am today and I also hope I have impacted those around me when I have given back to the Guiding community and the global community."

Melissa
Toronto, ON
First year, Medical Sciences, University of Western Ontario

"Through Girl Guides, I have become a more socially and culturally aware person. I also found deep importance in the value of this organization because it reminded me that all people deserve equal rights and responsibilities in life."

Rachelle
Ottawa, ON
First year, Environmental Science, University of Ottawa

"Girl Guide programming taught me how to set goals and create a plan in order to achieve said goals. It allowed me to develop in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Growing up I had many strong women as leaders who all taught me valuable lessons about the real world and things that I could not learn anywhere else."

Norma Osler Education National Scholarship

Tanya
Burnaby, BC
Postgraduate, Education, Simon Fraser University

"Guiding has taught me about diversity of all kinds: cultural, physical, sexual, and socio-economic. I approach my classes, my colleagues, and my Guiding units with respect at the centre of everything I do. By modeling kindness, I am able to build safe and inclusive spaces where people feel comfortable taking risks. Everyone has a voice in my classroom, and it becomes okay to make mistakes and learn from them."

WBE Canada Business Education National Scholarship

Jessica
Vancouver, BC
First year, Commerce, University of British Columbia

"Girl Guides has taught me many skills small and large, such as knitting and leadership, and has taught me many life lessons, like everyone has their own skills and knowledge to bring to a group, no matter what age or background. I will always be thankful for the strong confident woman Girl Guides has made me and I hope to be able to learn more skills that I can share with others and use to help my community."

GGC National Scholarship

Kelsey
Vancouver, BC
First year, Science, University of British Columbia

"Knowing that I have the chance to shape the lives of these young girls is incredible. With every meeting, I try to encourage the girls to be confident and inspire them to be the best versions of themselves. Not only is this experience fun and rewarding, but it has also had a huge impact on my leadership abilities."

Maryna
Sooke, BC
Second year, Nursing, Camosun College

"Guiding has made me, almost single-handedly, into the strong, passionate, driven, caring, confident, courageous, and resourceful young woman that I am today. It has led me to a career in nursing, where I think I have found my calling. It has developed me into one who craves adventure and follows her dreams and knows who she is. It has led me to make friends and connections not only across the country, but across the world. Guiding has given me the opportunity to travel, to discover the world, and to discover myself."

Danielle
Moose Jaw, SK
Third year, Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan

"The sisterhood of Guiding is what made me the young woman I am today, because it gave me the opportunity to become a leader in a safe space, guided by strong women with a love for Guiding. That has then enabled me to make a great impact on my community through community work, and inspiring others to do the same."

Emily
Kingston, ON
Fourth year, Science, Queen's University

"Girl Guides has taught me to be courageous and confident, to go for what I want and that being a girl does not mean I am any less of a person. I have learned to be resourceful with my skills and with what the world has given me and to use these resources to make a difference in my world."

"Through my 18 years in Guiding I have gained confidence, self-esteem and courage. Guiding continues to shape my perspective on life and I know my Guiding community will support me in all of my endeavors."

"I am more confident in my abilities and my ability to teach others, because I am a Girl Guide. Guiding gives me a safe place to learn new skills and the confidence to share them with others. I can run a meeting, teach skills to a group of co-workers or plan an event, because of my experiences in Girl Guides. I truly believe it is important for me to be involved in Girl Guides because it is an organization for women, by women."

"Guiding has given me a life rich in opportunity and personal development, and is also my motivation to continue my involvement as a unit leader. The best way to show thanks to all the women who made my Guiding experience so memorable and valuable is to become a positive role model for youth and continue the cycle."